Everyone knows that smoking bad is for your health. Smoking is linked to a variety of diseases, including lung cancer, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, COPD, vascular disease, heart disease, stroke, and premature birth. But did you know that smoking is also linked to spinal problems?
People who smoke are more likely to develop low back pain and intervertebral disc disease. Smokers who undergo spine surgery also report to have poor post-surgery outcomes. Fortunately, a study conducted by the University of Rochester published at the 2012 Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery revealed how smoking cessation can improve a patient’s pain scores after spine care. The study observed 5,333 patients with spinal disorders for eight months. Patients who stopped smoking reported a significantly greater improvement in overall pain as compared to those patients who continued to smoke.
Make sure to consult with your doctor if you’re struggling with a painful spinal disorder. If you smoke, this is the time to consider quitting. The decision to this bad habit can help alleviate your spine pain and even improve your overall health. Don’t hesitate to contact Spine Center of Texas if you have orthopedic problems or concerns.
